New Home Adventures

About six months ago, my family moved into a new, custom-built home. Designing and building a brand new home for our family was one of the biggest adventures of our lives. And I have to say that it’s been totally worth it! I’m so glad that we decided to go this route.
I started this blog for other people who are considering a custom-built home. I want to share what I learned about how to save money, get financing, and make plans to build a dream home of your very own. With the right information, you too can have the custom built home of your dreams.

Four Of The Most Common Mistakes When Sealing Asphalt, And How To Avoid Them

Posted on:
26 February 2015

Anyone with asphalt at their home knows how important it is to maintain it properly. If you don't take care of it, you could see potholes and cracks that compromise the whole structure. Making sure that your asphalt is sealed (and stays sealed) is an important part of that maintenance. Here's a look at some of the most common mistakes people make when sealing their asphalt, and how you can avoid them.

Mistake #1: Using Too Much Sealant

Likely the most common mistake people make when sealing their own asphalt is using too much sealant. On the surface, it makes sense. More sealant means more protection, right? In reality, all you'll need is a thin layer. Asphalt sealant is surprisingly strong, and you only need a small amount to do the job. Put on too thick of a layer, and there's a good chance you could end up with globs and bumps, damaging the "smooth" look of your asphalt.

Mistake #2: Waiting Too Long to Seal (or Not Waiting Long Enough) You'll want to be sure to seal your asphalt for the first time within six months of installation. If you wait longer than this, your asphalt may begin to develop cracks and damage that can't be restored. But if you seal too soon, you could also see poor results. Wait 30 days in a hot dry climate, or 90 days in a moderate climate. After the initial application, you'll want to do it once every 4 years depending on your weather conditions. If your winters are especially harsh, you may need to do it annually, but that's rare.

Mistake #3: Not Cleaning Away Dirt and Debris

Before you apply your asphalt sealant, you want to make sure the asphalt is as clean as possible. Once you seal it, any dirt or stains are permanent. While a traditional garden hose will usually work, you may need to use a pressure washer to make the job a little more easy. You will want your asphalt to be completely dry before sealing.

Mistake #4: Working In "Stripes" It's natural to want to work in stripes or lines when sealing your asphalt, but the best way to work is to complete one corner at a time. This will help you make sure you're applying the sealant evenly all over. Once you've finished one small square, move to the other side, and rotate around until you've got the recommended number of coats. By using stripes, it's very easy to overlap a little each trip down, and end up with uneven parts. Of course, even if you take all of these mistakes into consideration, sealing your own asphalt can be a tricky task. Oftentimes, it's best to just trust the job to a professional like one from LSC Construction Services, Inc. They've likely dealt with hundreds of situations just like yours, and they know exactly how to make the job go smoothly.